Local Governments from several states have been successful in this year’s Australian Safer Communities Awards sponsored by Emergency Management Australia. A total of 16 awards were presented by the Australian
Attorney-General, The Hon Robert McClelland MP, in Parliament House, Canberra on Tuesday 11 November 2008.
In congratulating award winners Mr McClelland said it was important for communities to understand the
hazards they might encounter and how best to deal with those emergencies as a community.
“When communities are resilient they are better able to deal with a crisis and bounce back even stronger,” he said.
Local Government Single council category
Winner – East Gippsland Shire Council, Victoria: Compass Emergency Recovery Management System developed in response to devastating bushfires and floods that have occurred in recent years
This system provides an extensive search capability, mapping and reporting features that make it a serviceable tool for councils and support agencies. The product, the result of collaboration between the Council and AccountSoft Pty Ltd, is flexible enough to cope with an unlimited range of emergency situations and runs on easily available industry standard equipment. It enhances case management and coordination and provides outreach services to affected persons, can record damage to Council assets as well as collect information on personal need and asset damage from the community at large.
Highly Commended Tasman Council, Tasmania: Property Bushfire Risk Management Plan Development Kit
This kit can be used to assess bushfire risk to homes and other buildings in a diverse range of situations, especially properties on no-through roads in remote areas. It uses a simple scoring system based on five main risk factors: firstly the level of bushfire threat, depending on a combination of the type of vegetation and the direction and slope of the fire approach; water supply; vehicle access; defendable space and building construction.
Highly Commended Shire of Busselton, Western Australia: Living Safely in Bushfire Prone Areas project
This provides a range of options to assist the community in preventing and preparing for bushfires. Seeing an increase in fire hazards across the region, the Shire launched strategies in 2008 to raise awareness and increase community safety. Council conducted a fire expo information day; promoted Bush Fire Ready Action Groups; developed step by step guides on what to do to prevent, prepare, respond and recover from a bushfire; developed a bushfire response plan; gained local media coverage; and successfully increased volunteer firefighter recruitment and training.
Local Government Collective council category
Winner – City of Bunbury, Western Australia: Regional Information Sharing of Knowledge
or RISK project
The City of Bunbury initiated the formation of the South West Emergency Management Alliance to broker support from all Local Government Presidents, Mayors and senior executives to establish a policy and planning alliance of 12 Local Governments covering 145,000 residents.
By sharing combined knowledge and resources, including an online resource, the capacity to deliver a higher level of safety and sustainability has been achieved in the respective communities. The alliance provides an across border continuity that in times of disaster will deliver a more seamless and efficient response and service to those affected by emergencies.
Highly Commended City of Campbelltown, Camden Council and the Wollondilly Shire Council: ‘Drives for Learners in Macarthur’ booklet and Log Book Run Events
The three councils devised this program jointly as a practical educational project targeted at learner drivers of all ages in the Macarthur region, southwest of Sydney and for the wider community.
The different driving routes mean the learner drivers face many challenges and different road types from rural to urban and include driving at night.
The Log Book Run Events provide a planned drive for learners to undertake in a structured group environment. This encourages drivers and their supervisors to interact with others in the same learning phase.
The project includes a presentation by Police Highway Patrol officers who describe contributing factors in young driver crashes and discuss emergency responses.
A full list of winners and the award winning projects booklet are available on the EMA website at www.ema.gov.au
Entries for the 2009 awards will open next February.
